Explore Worldwide has been toying with the idea of launching a range of Australian tours for some time. But the concept might finally be coming to fruition.
Speaking to Karryon in Sydney on Wednesday, Explore Worldwide Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand Ben Ittensohn said the small-group touring expert was looking to kick-start its Aussie product range with its ‘Active’ trips in Tasmania.
“We’re very keen to develop a domestic product range – starting with our Active range,” he says.
“So… walking, cycling trips to start with. And we’re going to lean into Tasmania to start with.”
Explore’s Active range of holidays focuses on adventure, whether kayaking, rafting, hiking or biking. With its abundance of outdoor activities and nature, Tassie could be the perfect fit.
“We think it lends itself nicely to our style of travel,” Ben says.
“Also, it has great inbound appeal as well as the domestic market. It’s certainly in our roadmap.”
And it isn’t just rhetoric either. In fact, Explore Worldwide’s UK-based Product Director, Rachael Stone, is currently in Australia to explore – among other things – the possibility of making its Aussie trips happen.
“We’re planning to introduce some domestic product in Australia. It’s very much on the roadmap of why I’m here,” she told Karryon and other media at an intimate event in Sydney, held at OzHarvest’s Refettorio restaurant.
“Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be doing some research.”
And the B Corp company mightn’t stop there in the Oceania region.
“Over the next year, I’d really like to get some other destinations within this region, so maybe some Pacific islands,” she added.
Additionally, according to Stone, its New Zealand trips are “selling strongly for us”.
“So we expect to expand the portfolio there,” she stated.
On the places Australians are flocking to right now, Ittensohn says one destination stands out.
“Croatia. The Dalmatian Coast. It’s our number one selling cycling trip in the Australian market,” he says.
Active Aussies
When it comes to the types of trips Australians are choosing to do with Explore, Ben says it’s “mostly around the Active range that we’re seeing great growth in”.
Given many Aussies’ thirst for adventure, it comes as no real surprise.
“Cycling, in particular over the last four weeks is 61% up. Last year it was 31% up. The walking range is 24% up. And destinations around that cycling range lean heavily to Europe, cycling the Dalmatian coast… the Loire Valley.”
While Explore offers more “challenging” trips, Ben says the company is seeing “great growth” in its more leisurely to moderate trips.
“They’re mainly in those leisurely to moderate four to five hours in the saddle each day,” he remarks.
“Immersing [themselves] in the destination. In my opinion, there’s no better way to see a destination than to either walk through it or cycle through it – you get very close and have those really immersive experiences.”
According to Ittensohn, the Australian market accounts for around 10 per cent of Explore’s current global sales – not bad for a business that’s only had serious representation Down Under for three years.
Looking ahead, he says Explore expects the Australian and US markets to account for 50% of all business globally. And if recent trends are anything to go by, it’s well on its way to getting there.
“Last year was a record year for us globally, and the Australian, New Zealand business has been crucial to that success,” Ittensohn notes.
“We are the biggest growth market for the brand, 21% up year-on-year. And that marks three consecutive years [of large growth] since we launched into this market directly.”
Ben tells Karryon that the company has already reached 75% of its sales targets for the 2026 calendar year, in mid-February.
Tracking trade
Explore Worldwide largely has travel advisors to thank for its rise in Australia. According to Ben, trade bookings represent half of its business Down Under.
“[Trade is] still 50% of our overall volume from this market,” he states.
“We’re still supported by Evolution Travel Collective and their BDM network within Australia and New Zealand, and their support has been fantastic.
“We’ve got our agent famil incentive running at the moment. So sell Explore, and you can go in the draw to win a trip to Cambodia with us in May. We always offer our 50% agent discount as well.”
On the back of its growth – Ben says Explore aims to double business in the coming years – the company is looking to double the size of its Australian-based team as well.
And it always has purposeful travel at its core.
“We’re a very proud B Corp and it’s always been at the heart of what we do. Leaning into that local impact… that’s why we launched.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: Tasmania could be Explore’s Aussie launchpad, and Active is the hook. Strong trade support, cycling demand and 75% of 2026 targets already sold show real momentum. Travel advisors should watch this space.
